The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival got underway in the French Riviera on May 14, bringing with it an eclectic mix of films, including Kevin Costner’s Horizon and Firebrand by Algerian-Brazilian director Karim Ainouz (starring Alicia Vikander and Jude Law), attracting a wide spectrum of A-listers who descended upon the South of France to attend red carpet premieres and screenings. As usual, La Croisette has been packed with a rotating cast of actors, directors, and industry insiders dotting red carpet premieres and gala events over the last week.
But the 10-day-long film festival isn’t just for those promoting their films, as the Arab stars at Cannes is making very clear. Our region has become an ever-growing presence at the French festival, with the new partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Labs and the Red Sea Film Festival (RSFF)— which hosts the annual Women in Cinema gala. This year’s event, in partnership with Vanity Fair Europe, attracted celebrities from all across the world, including Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Uma Thurman, and Eiza Gonzalez alongside Salma Abu Deif, Dorra Zarrouk, and Saba Mubarak.
In addition to glitzy galas, Arab stars have long attended red carpet premieres and screenings with luxury jewelry brands, like Cannes’ official sponsor Chopard, as well as Cartier, Boucheron, Messika, Bvlgari, and Maison Chaumet, who leverage A-listers and brand ambassadors to represent their brand on the red carpet.
And of course, our region is home to a spectrum of talented actors and directors, including this year’s jury member, Lebanese actress and director Nadine Labaki and Belgian-Moroccan actress Lubna Azabal, who is chairing the short film and La Cinef jury.
From Balqees Fathi to Mila Al Zahrani, read on to see all of the Arab stars at Cannes.
Nadine Labaki
The Lebanese filmmaker and director was spotted at the 2024 Kering Women in Motion dinner wearing a hot pink sequin Balenciaga gown adorned with a black bow on the waist paired with Cartier jewelry. Earlier in the week, she attended the jury photo call in a sharp-shouldered double-breasted tailored wool jumpsuit with peaked lapels from Versace.
Mila Al Zahrani
Also at the 2024 Kering Women in Motion dinner was Saudi actress Mila Al Zahrani, who wore a black off-the-shoulder Balqees AlQadeeb gown and a Boucheron choker.
Lubna Azabal
Moroccan-Belgian actress attended the 2024 Kering Women in Motion dinner wearing luxury jewelry label Boucheron’s Serpent Bohème motif long necklace, paved with diamonds in yellow gold, as well as the Serpent Bohème double motif ring, paved with diamonds in yellow gold.
Dorra Zarrouk
The Tunisian actress attended the Women in Cinema event hosted by the Red Sea Film Foundation in a white satin bustier gown with a satin cape encrusted with hand painted gold feathers from the Georges Chakra. She also attended the premiere of Emilia Perez wearing Ali Karoui.
Balqees Fathi
Last week, the Emirati-Yemeni singer made her Cannes red carpet debut for the screening of Megalopolis wearing a white Giambattista Galli gown and dazzling jewels from Messika.
Saba Mubarak
Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak stunned in a black lurex fitted, sequin embellished Rami Kadi gown for the Women in Cinema gala hosted by the Red Sea Film Foundation.
Salma Abu Deif
The Egyptian actress attended the red carpet premiere of Horizon in a custom Georges Hobeika gown. She was also spotted at the Women in Cinema gala wearing a metallic Zuhair Murad creation.
Yara Alnamlah
The Saudi influencer dazzled at the opening ceremony of the 77th edition of the Cannes Fil Festival wearing a feathered Rami Kadi creation and Chaumet jewels.
Shanina Shaik
The part-Saudi model stepped out in a gown by Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad for the opening ceremony of the film festival.
Youssra
The Egyptian icon wore a strapless mint green Elie Saab gown to the 24th Trophée Chopard Ceremony.
Diala Makki
Lebanese television presenter Diala Makki was also in attendance at the 24th Trophée Chopard Ceremony. She wore a sequin gown by fellow Lebanese couturier Georges Hobeika for the occasion.
Aseel Omran
Saudi singer and actress posed for pictures wearing a golden, fringed, embroidered dress from Lebanese designer Elio Abou Fayssal ahead of the Women in Cinema gala.
Raya Abirached
A fixture at the Cannes Film Festival, the Lebanese journalist was present at a variety of red carpet premieres, screenings, and ceremonies. She was pictured wearing jaw-dropping creations from the likes of Georges Chakra and Tony Ward.
Annabella Hilal
Lebanese presenter Annabella Hilal made sure to support local talent, wearing creations by Adam Almohammad and Zuhair Murad on the red carpet.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid attended The Apprentice premiere on Monday donning a sheer Saint Laurent dress from Saint Laurent‘s fall 2024 collection. She accessorized her dress with shoes also from Saint Laurent and diamond Chopard jewelry.
Yasmine Sabri
Also at the red carpet premiere of The Apprentice was Egyptian actress Yasmine Sabri, who dazzled in a red, crystal-adorned Jean Pierre Khoury gown paired with matching diamonds from Chopard.
